Indanyloxydihydrobenzofuranylacetic acids

ABSTRACT

Compounds of general formula I 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     wherein the group R 1  is defined as in claim  1 , which have valuable pharmacological properties, in particular bind to the GPR40 receptor and modulate its activity. The compounds are suitable for treatment and prevention of diseases which can be influenced by this receptor, such as metabolic diseases, in particular diabetes type 2.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to European Patent Application No.13154261.5, filed Feb. 5, 2013, the contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to novelindanyloxydihydrobenzofuranylacetic acids that are agonists of theG-protein coupled receptor 40 (GPR40, also known as free fatty acidreceptor FFAR 1), to processes for their preparation, to pharmaceuticalcompositions containing these compounds and to their medical use for theprophylaxis and/or treatment of diseases which can be influenced by themodulation of the function of GPR40. Particularly, the pharmaceuticalcompositions of the invention are suitable for the prophylaxis and/ortherapy of metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, more specifically type2 diabetes mellitus, and conditions associated with the disease,including insulin resistance, obesity, cardiovascular disease anddyslipidemia.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Metabolic diseases are diseases caused by an abnormal metabolic processand may either be congenital due to an inherited enzyme abnormality oracquired due to a disease of an endocrine organ or failure of ametabolically important organ such as the liver or the pancreas.

Diabetes mellitus is a disease state or process derived from multiplecausative factors and is defined as a chronic hyperglycemia associatedwith resulting damages to organs and dysfunctions of metabolicprocesses. Depending on its etiology, one differentiates between severalforms of diabetes, which are either due to an absolute (lacking ordecreased insulin secretion) or to a relative lack of insulin. Diabetesmellitus Type I (IDDM, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus) generallyoccurs in adolescents under 20 years of age. It is assumed to be ofauto-immune etiology, leading to an insulitis with the subsequentdestruction of the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans which areresponsible for the insulin synthesis. In addition, in latent autoimmunediabetes in adults (LADA; Diabetes Care. 8: 1460-1467, 2001) beta cellsare being destroyed due to autoimmune attack. The amount of insulinproduced by the remaining pancreatic islet cells is too low, resultingin elevated blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia). Diabetes mellitus TypeII generally occurs at an older age. It is above all associated with aresistance to insulin in the liver and the skeletal muscles, but alsowith a defect of the islets of Langerhans. High blood glucose levels(and also high blood lipid levels) in turn lead to an impairment of betacell function and to an increase in beta cell apoptosis.

Persistent or inadequately controlled hyperglycemia is associated with awide range of pathologies. Diabetes is a very disabling disease, becausetoday's common antidiabetic drugs do not control blood sugar levels wellenough to completely prevent the occurrence of high and low blood sugarlevels. Out of range blood sugar levels are toxic and cause long-termcomplications for example retinopathy, renopathy, neuropathy andperipheral vascular disease. There is also a host of related conditions,such as obesity, hypertension, stroke, heart disease and hyperlipidemia,for which persons with diabetes are substantially at risk.

Obesity is associated with an increased risk of follow-up diseases suchas cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia andan increased mortality. Diabetes (insulin resistance) and obesity arepart of the “metabolic syndrome” which is defined as the linkage betweenseveral diseases (also referred to as syndrome X, insulin-resistancesyndrome, or deadly quartet). These often occur in the same patients andare major risk factors for development of diabetes type II andcardiovascular disease. It has been suggested that the control of lipidlevels and glucose levels is required to treat diabetes type II, heartdisease, and other occurrences of metabolic syndrome (see e.g., Diabetes48: 1836-1841, 1999; JAMA 288: 2209-2716, 2002).

The free fatty acid receptor GPR40 (also referred to as either FFAR,FFAR1, or FFA1) is a cell-surface receptor and a member of the genesuperfamily of G-protein coupled receptors, which was first identifiedas a so-called orphan receptor, i.e. a receptor without a known ligand,based on the predicted presence of seven putative transmembrane regionsin the corresponding protein (Sawzdargo et al. (1997) Biochem. Biophys.Res. Commun. 239: 543-547). GPR40 is found to be highly expressed inseveral particular cell types: the pancreatic 13 cells andinsulin-secreting cell lines, as well as in enteroendocrine cells, tastecells, and is reported to be expressed in immune cells, splenocytes, andin the human and monkey brain. Meanwhile, fatty acids of varying chainlengths are thought to represent the endogenous ligands for GPR40,activation of which is linked primarily to the modulation of the Gqfamily of intra-cellular signaling G proteins and concomitant inductionof elevated calcium levels, although activation of Gs- and Gi-proteinsto modulate intracellular levels of cAMP have also been reported. GPR40is activated especially by long-chain FFA, particularly oleate, as wellas the PPAR-gamma agonist rosiglitazone.

It has been recognized that the fatty acids that serve as activators forGPR40 augment the elevated plasma glucose-induced secretion of insulinthrough GPR40 receptors that are expressed in the insulin secretingcells (Itoh et al. (2003) Nature 422: 173-176; Briscoe et al. (2003) J.Biol. Chem. 278: 11303-11311; Kotarsky et al. (2003) Biochem. Biophys.Res. Commun. 301: 406-410). Despite initial controversy, the use ofGPR40 agonist appears to be the appropriate for increasing insulinrelease for the treatment of diabetes (see e.g. Diabetes 2008, 57, 2211;J. Med. Chem. 2007, 50, 2807). Typically, long term diabetes therapyleads to the gradual diminution of islet activity, so that afterextended periods of treatment Type 2 diabetic patients need treatmentwith daily insulin injections instead. GPR40 agonists may have thepotential to restore or preserve islet function, therefore, GPR40agonists may be beneficial also in that that they may delay or preventthe diminution and loss of islet function in a Type 2 diabetic patient.

It is well established that the incretins GLP-1 (glucagon-likepeptide-1) and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide; also knownas gastric inhibitory peptide) stimulate insulin secretion and arerapidly inactivated in vivo by DPP-4. These peptidyl hormones aresecreted by endocrine cells that are located in the epithelium of thesmall intestine. When these endocrine cells sense an increase in theconcentration of glucose in the lumen of the digestive tract, they actas the trigger for incretin release. Incretins are carried through thecirculation to beta cells in the pancreas and cause the beta cells tosecrete more insulin in anticipation of an increase of blood glucoseresulting from the digesting meal. Further studies indicating that theGPR40 modulatory role on the release of incretins from theenteroendocrine cells, including CCK, GLP-1, GIP, PYY, and possiblyothers, suggest that GPR40 modulators may contribute to enhanced insulinrelease from the pancreatic beta cells also indirectly by e.g. asynergistic effect of GLP-1 and possibly GIP on the insulin release, andthe other release incretins may also contribute to an overall beneficialcontribution of GPR40 modulation on metabolic diseases. The indirectcontributions of GPR40 modulation on insulin release through theelevation of plasma levels of incretins may be further augmented by thecoadministration of inhibitors of the enzymes responsible for theincretin degradation, such as inhibitors of DPP-4.

Insulin imbalances lead to conditions such as type II diabetes mellitus,a serious metabolic disease. The modulation of the function of GPR40 inmodulating insulin secretion indicates the therapeutic agents capable ofmodulating GPR40 function could be useful for the treatment of disorderssuch as diabetes and conditions associated with the disease, includinginsulin resistance, obesity, cardiovascular disease and dyslipidemia.

OBJECT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide new compounds,hereinafter described as compounds of formula I, in particular newindanyloxydihydrobenzofuranylacetic acids, which are active with regardto the G-protein-coupled receptor GPR40, notably are agonists of theG-protein-coupled receptor GPR40.

A further object of the present invention is to provide new compounds,in particular new indanyloxydihydrobenzofuranylacetic acids, which havean activating effect on the G-protein-coupled receptor GPR40 in vitroand/or in vivo and possess suitable pharmacological and pharmacokineticproperties to use them as medicaments.

A further object of the present invention is to provide effective GPR40agonists, in particular for the treatment of metabolic disorders, forexample diabetes, dyslipidemia and/or obesity.

A further object of the present invention is to provide methods fortreating a disease or condition mediated by the activation theG-protein-coupled receptor GPR40 in a patient.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a pharmaceuticalcomposition comprising at least one compound according to the invention.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a combination ofat least one compound according to the invention with one or moreadditional therapeutic agents.

Further objects of the present invention become apparent to the oneskilled in the art by the description hereinbefore and in the followingand by the examples.

GPR40 modulators are known in the art, for example, the compoundsdisclosed in WO 2004041266 (EP 1559422), WO 2007033002, WO 2009157418and WO 2012072691. The indanyloxydihydrobenzofuranylacetic acids of thepresent invention may provide several advantages, such as enhancedpotency, high metabolic and/or chemical stability, high selectivity andtolerability, enhanced solubility, and the possibility to form stablesalts. In particular, the present invention provides compounds ofsuperior stability in acidic aqueous media compared to related compoundsdisclosed in WO 2012072691.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect the invention relates to compounds of formula I

wherein

-   R¹ is selected from the group R¹-G1 consisting of a monocyclic or    bicyclic group having 5 to 12 ring member atoms of which 4 to 11    ring members are C atoms and 1 to 3 ring members are heteroatoms    selected from N and NR^(N), or    -   1 or 2 ring members are heteroatoms selected from N and NR^(N)        and 1 ring member is selected from O and S, or    -   1 ring member is N and 2 ring members are independently selected        from O and S, with the proviso that no O—O, S—S or S—O bond is        formed,        -   wherein the ring member atom attached to the —CH₂— group in            formula I is a N atom,        -   wherein 1 CH₂ ring member attached to a ring member N atom            is optionally replaced by a —C(═O)— group,        -   wherein the monocyclic or bicyclic group is saturated or            partially unsaturated, with the proviso that in bicyclic            groups the ring attached to the —CH₂— group in formula I            must not be aromatic, and        -   wherein the bicyclic group may be a fused, bridged or spiro            ring system;    -   wherein any of these groups is optionally and independently        substituted with 1 to 3 R² groups;-   R² is selected from the group R²-G1 consisting of F, Cl, Br, I,    C₁₋₄-alkyl, NC—, HO—C₁₋₄-alkyl, HO—, C₁₋₄-alkyl-O—,    C₁₋₄-alkyl-O—C₁₋₄-alkyl, C₁₋₄-alkyl-S—, C₁₋₄-alkyl-S(═O)—,    C₁₋₄-alkyl-S(═O)₂—, C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl-, and C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl-O—,    wherein any alkyl and cycloalkyl group or submoiety is optionally    substituted with 1 to 3 F atoms; and-   R^(N) is selected from the group R^(N)-G1 consisting of H,    C₁₋₄-alkyl-, C₁₋₄-alkyl-C(O)—, and C₁₋₄-alkyl-O—O(O)—;    wherein in any definition mentioned hereinbefore and if not    specified otherwise, any alkyl group or sub-group may be    straight-chained or branched,    the isoforms, tautomers, stereoisomers, metabolites, prodrugs,    solvates, hydrates, and the salts thereof, particularly the    physiologically acceptable salts thereof with inorganic or organic    acids or bases, or the combinations thereof.

The extension -Gn used within the definitions is meant to identify genusn of the respective substituent. For example, R¹-G1 defines genus 1 ofthe substituent R¹.

In a further aspect this invention relates to a pharmaceuticalcomposition, comprising one or more compounds of general formula I orone or more pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof according to theinvention, optionally together with one or more inert carriers and/ordiluents.

In a further aspect this invention relates to a method for treatingdiseases or conditions which are mediated by activating theG-protein-coupled receptor GPR40 in a patient in need thereofcharacterized in that a compound of general formula I or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is administered to the patient.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a methodfor treating a metabolic disease or disorder, such as diabetes,dyslipidemia and/or obesity, in a patient in need thereof characterizedin that a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of generalformula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is administeredto the patient.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided the useof a compound of the general formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof for the manufacture of a medicament for a therapeuticmethod as described hereinbefore and hereinafter.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided acompound of the general formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof for use in a therapeutic method as described hereinbefore andhereinafter.

In a further aspect this invention relates to a method for treating adisease or condition mediated by the activation of the G-protein-coupledreceptor GPR40 in a patient that includes the step of administering tothe patient in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amountof a compound of the general formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof in combination with a therapeutically effective amount ofone or more additional therapeutic agents.

In a further aspect this invention relates to the use of a compound ofthe general formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof incombination with one or more additional therapeutic agents for thetreatment of diseases or conditions which are mediated by the activationof the G-protein-coupled receptor GPR40.

In a further aspect this invention relates to a pharmaceuticalcomposition which comprises a compound according to general formula I ora pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and one or more additionaltherapeutic agents, optionally together with one or more inert carriersand/or diluents.

Other aspects of the invention become apparent to the one skilled in theart from the specification and the experimental part as describedhereinbefore and hereinafter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Unless otherwise stated, the groups, residues, and substituents,particularly R¹, R² and R^(N) are defined as above and hereinafter. Ifresidues, substituents, or groups occur several times in a compound,they may have the same or different meanings. Some preferred meanings ofindividual groups and substituents of the compounds according to theinvention will be given hereinafter. Any and each of these definitionsmay be combined with each other.

R¹: R¹-G1:

The group R¹ is preferably selected from the group R¹-G1 as definedhereinbefore.

R¹-G2:

According to one embodiment the group R¹ is selected from the groupR¹-G2 consisting of a monocyclic or bicyclic group having 5 to 10 ringmember atoms of which 4 to 9 ring members are C atoms and 1 to 3 ringmembers are heteroatoms selected from N and NR^(N), or

1 or 2 ring members are heteroatoms selected from N and NR^(N) and 1ring member is O or S,

-   -   wherein the ring member atom attached to the —CH₂— group in        formula I is a N atom,    -   wherein 1 CH₂ ring member attached to a ring member N atom is        optionally replaced by a —C(═O)— group,    -   wherein the monocyclic or bicyclic group is saturated or        partially unsaturated, with the proviso that in bicyclic groups        the ring attached to the —CH₂— group in formula I must not be        aromatic, and    -   wherein the bicyclic group may be a fused, bridged or spiro ring        system;        wherein any of these groups is optionally and independently        substituted with 1, 2, or 3 R² groups;

R¹-G3:

According to one embodiment the group R¹ is selected from the groupR¹-G3 consisting of

wherein X denotes NR^(N), O, or S, andwherein in any group 1 ring member CH₂ group adjacent to a ring member Natom is optionally replaced by a C(═O) group, andwherein any group is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 groupsindependently selected from R².

R¹-G3a:

According to one embodiment the group R¹ is selected from the groupR¹-G3a consisting of

wherein X denotes NR^(N), O, or S, andwherein in any group 1 ring member CH₂ group adjacent to a ring member Natom is optionally replaced by C(═O), andwherein any group is optionally substituted with 1, 2, or 3 groupsindependently selected from R².

R¹-G3b:

According to one embodiment the group R¹ is selected from the groupR¹-G3b consisting of

wherein X denotes NR^(N), O, or S, andwherein in any group 1 ring member CH₂ group adjacent to a ring member Natom is optionally replaced by C(═O), andwherein any group is optionally substituted with 1, 2, or 3 groupsindependently selected from R².

R¹-G4:

In another embodiment the group R¹ is selected from the group R¹-G4consisting of a pyrrolidin-1-yl, 3-aza-bicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-3-yl,8-aza-bicyclo[3.2.1]octan-8-yl, 6-aza-spiro[2.5]octan-6-yl,1-oxa-8-aza-spiro[4.5]decan-8-yl, 8-oxa-3-aza-bicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-yl,thiomorpholin-4-yl, and [1,4]oxazepan-4-yl ring;

a piperidin-1-yl ring, optionally substituted with 1 or 2 groupsindependently selected from F, H₃C—, HO—H₂C—, HO—, and H₃C—O—;a piperazin-1-yl group, wherein the ring member N not attached to the—CH₂— group in formula I is substituted with R^(N), and wherein 1 CH₂ring member is optionally replaced by a —C(═O)— group;a morpholin-4-yl ring, optionally substituted with 1 or 2 H₃C— groups;anda 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-thieno[2,3-c]pyridin-6-yl,5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1H-imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-7-yl,4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrazin-5-yl,4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-2H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-5-yl,4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-oxazolo[4,5-c]pyridin-5-yl,4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-isoxazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-5-yl,4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-thiazolo[5,4-c]pyridin-5-yl,1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-isoquinolin-2-yl, and5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-[1,6]naphthyridin-6-yl ring, wherein each ring havinga NH group is substituted with R^(N) at this N, and each ring isoptionally substituted with 1 H₃C— group.

R¹-G5:

In another embodiment the group R¹ is selected from the group R¹-G5consisting of

R²: R²-G1:

The group R² is preferably selected from the group R²-G1 as definedhereinbefore.

R²-G2:

In another embodiment the group R² is selected from the group R²-G2consisting of F, Cl, C₁₋₃-alkyl, NC—, HO—C₁₋₃-alkyl,C₁₋₃-alkyl-O—C₁₋₃-alkyl, HO—, C₁₋₃-alkyl-O, H₃C—S(═O)—, H₃C—S(═O)₂—,C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl-, and C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl-O—, wherein any alkyl andcycloalkyl group or submoiety is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 Fatoms.

R²-G3:

In another embodiment the group R² is selected from the group R²-G3consisting of F, Cl, C₁₋₃-alkyl, F₃C—, NC—, HO—C₁₋₃-alkyl,H₃C—O—C₁₋₃-alkyl, HO—, C₁₋₃-alkyl-O, F₂HC—O—, F₃C—O—, H₃C—S(═O)₂—,C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl-, and C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl-O—.

R²-G4:

In another embodiment the group R² is selected from the group R²-G4consisting of F, C₁₋₃-alkyl, F₃C—, HO—CH₂₋, H₃C—O—CH₂—, NC—, HO—,C₁₋₃-alkyl-O—, and H₃C—S(═O)₂—.

R²-G5:

In another embodiment the group R² is selected from the group R²-G5consisting of F, H₃C—, HO—H₂C—, HO—, and H₃C—O—.

R^(N): R^(N)-G1:

The group R^(N) is preferably selected from the group R^(N)-G1 asdefined hereinbefore.

R^(N)-G2:

In another embodiment the group R^(N) is selected from the groupR^(N)-G2 consisting of H, H₃C—, H₃C—C(═O)—, H₃C—H₂C—C(═O)—, andC₁₋₄-alkyl-O—C(═O)—.

Examples of preferred subgeneric embodiments (E) according to thepresent invention are set forth in the following table, wherein eachsubstituent group of each embodiment is defined according to thedefinitions set forth hereinbefore and wherein all other substituents ofthe formula I are defined according to the definitions set forthhereinbefore:

Embodiment R¹— R²— R^(N)— E-1 R¹—G1 R²—G1 R^(N)—G1 E-2 R¹—G2 R²—G1R^(N)—G1 E-3 R¹—G3 R²—G1 R^(N)—G1 E-4 R¹—G3 R²—G2 R^(N)—G1 E-5 R¹—G3R²—G2 R^(N)—G2 E-6 R¹—G3 R²—G3 R^(N)—G2 E-7 R¹—G3 R²—G4 R^(N)—G2 E-8R¹—G3 R^(2—)G5 R^(N)—G2 E-9 R¹—G4 — R^(N)—G2 E-10 R¹—G5 — —

Preferred are those compounds of formula I, wherein

R¹ is selected from the group consisting of

wherein X denotes NR^(N), O, or S, andwherein in any group 1 ring member CH₂ group adjacent to a ring member Natom is optionally replaced by a C(═O) group, andwherein any group is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 groupsindependently selected from R²;R² is selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, C₁₋₃-alkyl, NC—,HO—C₁₋₃-alkyl, C₁₋₃-alkyl-O—C₁₋₃-alkyl, HO—, C₁₋₃-alkyl-O, H₃C—S(═O)—,H₃C—S(═O)₂—, C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl-, and C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl-O—, wherein any alkyland cycloalkyl group or submoiety is optionally substituted with 1 to 3F atoms; andR^(N) is selected from the group consisting of H, C₁₋₄-alkyl-,C₁₋₄-alkyl-C(O)— and C₁₋₄-alkyl-O—C(O)—;and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Particularly preferred compounds, including their tautomers andstereoisomers, the salts thereof, or any solvates or hydrates thereof,are described in the experimental section hereinafter.

The compounds according to the invention and their intermediates may beobtained using methods of synthesis which are known to the one skilledin the art and described in the literature of organic synthesis.Preferably the compounds are obtained analogously to the methods ofpreparation explained more fully hereinafter, in particular as describedin the experimental section. In some cases the sequence adopted incarrying out the reaction schemes may be varied. Variants of thesereactions that are known to the skilled man but are not described indetail here may also be used. The general processes for preparing thecompounds according to the invention will become apparent to the skilledman on studying the schemes that follow. Starting compounds arecommercially available or may be prepared by methods that are describedin the literature or herein, or may be prepared in an analogous orsimilar manner. Before the reaction is carried out any correspondingfunctional groups in the compounds may be protected using conventionalprotecting groups. These protecting groups may be cleaved again at asuitable stage within the reaction sequence using methods familiar tothe skilled man.

The compounds of the invention I are preferably accessed from aprecursor 1 that bears the carboxylic acid protected as ester (Scheme1); R¹ has the meaning as defined hereinbefore and hereinafter. Theester group may be hydrolysed in the presence of an acid, such ashydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid, or an alkali metal hydroxide, suchas lithium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, or potassium hydroxide, to yieldthe carboxylic acid. The hydrolysis is preferably conducted in aqueoussolvents, such as water combined with tetrahydrofuran, 1,4-dioxane,alcohol, e.g. methanol, ethanol and isopropanol, or dimethyl sulfoxide,at 0 to 120° C. A tert-butyl ester is preferably cleaved under acidicconditions, e.g. trifluoroacetic acid or hydrochloric acid, in asolvent, such as dichloromethane, 1,4-dioxane, isopropanol or ethylacetate. A benzyl ester is advantageously cleaved using hydrogen in thepresence of a transition metal, preferably palladium on carbon. Benzylesters bearing electron donating groups on the phenyl ring, such asmethoxy, may also be removed under oxidative conditions; ceric ammoniumnitrate (CAN) or 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyanoquinone (DDQ) are two commonlyused reagents for this approach.

Compound I may be assembled using building blocks 2, 3 and 4 (Scheme 2);R¹ has the meaning as defined hereinbefore and hereinafter.

Building blocks 3 and 4 may be combined in a stereoselective fashionemploying the conditions of the Mitsunobu reaction or variations thereof(Scheme 3); R¹ has the meaning as defined hereinbefore and hereinafter.The reaction is usually conducted with a phosphine and anazodicarboxylic ester or amide in tetrahydrofuran, 1,4-dioxane, diethylether, toluene, benzene, dichloromethane, or mixtures thereof, at −30 to100° C. Phosphines often used are triphenylphosphine andtributylphosphine, which are commonly combined with dimethylazodicarboxylate, diethyl azodicarboxylate, diisopropylazodicarboxylate, di-(4-chlorobenzyl) azodicarboxylate, dibenzylazodicarboxylate, di-tert-butyl azodicarboxylate, azodicarboxylic acidbis-(dimethylamide), azodicarboxylic acid dipiperidide, orazodicarboxylic acid dimorpholide.

The group R¹ may be attached to the indane moiety via a CH₂ groupstarting from various precursors (Scheme 4); R¹ has the meaning asdefined hereinbefore and hereinafter.

Transition metal catalyzed coupling of the indane part (3″) aselectrophile, bearing a chlorine, bromine or iodine at the carbon atomto be coupled, and R¹—CH₂—BF₃K (2′) as nucleophile is a preferredproceeding (Scheme 4, a)). The reaction is preferably conducted with apalladium derived catalyst, e.g. palladium acetate combined with2-dicyclohexylphosphino-2′,4′,6′-triisopropyl-1,1′-biphenyl (X-Phos), inthe presence of a base, e.g. cesium carbonate, in a mixture of water andtetrahydrofuran at 40 to 100° C.

Employing R¹ as a secondary amine, R¹—H (2″), and the indane partdecorated with a formyl group (3′″) may link the two moieties uponreductive amination (Scheme 4, b)). The reaction is carried out with areducing agent, e.g. sodium cyanoborohydride (NaH₃BCN), sodiumtriacetoxyborohydride (NaHB(O₂CCH₃)₃) or sodium borohydride (NaBH₄),optionally in the presence of an acid, e.g. acetic acid, in a solvent,e.g. 1,2-dichloroethane, at 0 to 60° C.

R¹ as a secondary amine, R¹—H (2″), may also be combined with the indanepart (3″″) bearing a leaving group at the CH₂ unit to be coupled (Scheme4, c)). The nucleophilic substitution of the leaving group, e.g. Cl, Bror I, with the secondary amine is preferably conducted in the presenceof a base, e.g. potassium carbonate, in a solvent, e.g.N,N-dimethylformamide, at 0 to 100° C.

Intermediate 3 or derivatives thereof, as 3′″″, may be obtained fromindanone 7, which, in turn, may be prepared from phenylpropionic acidderivative 6 (Scheme 5). For the intramolecular acylation(Friedel-Crafts acylation), 6→7, a considerable number of approaches hasbeen reported. The reaction may be performed starting with a carboxylicacid, carboxylic ester, carboxylic anhydride, carboxylic chloride orfluoride, or a nitrile using a Lewis acid as catalyst. The followingLewis acids are some of the more often used ones: hydrobromic acid,hydroiodic acid, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid,P₄O₁₀, trifluoroacetic acid, methanesulfonic acid, toluenesulfonic acid,trifluoromethanesulfonic acid, ClSO₃H, Sc(OSO₂CF₃)₃, Tb(OSO₂CF₃)₃,SnCl₄, FeCl₃, AlBr₃, AlCl₃, SbCl₅, BCl₃, BF₃, ZnCl₂, montmorillonites,POCl₃, and PCl₅. The reaction may be conducted, e.g., indichloromethane, 1,2-dichloroethane, nitrobenzene, chlorobenzene, carbondisulfide, mixtures thereof, or without an additional solvent in anexcess of the Lewis acid, at 0 to 180° C. Carboxylic acids arepreferably reacted in polyphosphoric acid at 0 to 120° C., whilecarboxylic chlorides are preferably reacted with AlCl₃ indichloromethane or 1,2-dichloroethane at 0 to 80° C.

The subsequent reduction of the keto group in compound 7 providing thealcohol 3″″ in enantiomerically enriched or pure form may beaccomplished using hydrogen or a hydrogen source, such as formate orsilane, and a transition metal catalyst derived from, e.g., Ir, Rh, Ruor Fe and a chiral auxiliary. For instance, a ruthenium complex, such aschloro{[(1S,2S)-(−)-2-amino-1,2-diphenylethyl](4-toluenesulfonyl)-amido}-(mesitylene)ruthenium(II),may deliver the hydroxy compound 3″″ with high enantiomeric excessusing, e.g., formic acid in the presence of a base, e.g. triethylamine,in dichloromethane, at −20 to 60° C. Alternatively, boranes combinedwith an enantiomerically pure [1,3,2]oxazaborol may be used as reducingagent (Corey-Bakshi-Shibata reaction or Corey-Itsuno reaction). Borane(complexed with, e.g., dimethyl sulfide) and (R)- or(S)-3,3-diphenyl-1-methyltetrahydro-1H,3H-pyrrolo[1,2-c][1,3,2]oxazaborolin, e.g. dichloromethane, toluene, methanol, tetrahydrofuran, ormixtures thereof, at 0 to 60° C., are typical reaction conditions usedfor this approach.

The synthetic routes presented may rely on the use of protecting groups.For example, potentially reactive groups present, such as hydroxy,carbonyl, carboxy, amino, alkylamino, or imino, may be protected duringthe reaction by conventional protecting groups which are cleaved againafter the reaction. Suitable protecting groups for the respectivefunctionalities and their removal are well known to the one skilled inthe art and are described in the literature of organic synthesis.

The compounds of general formula I may be resolved into theirenantiomers and/or diastereomers as mentioned below. Thus, for example,cis/trans mixtures may be resolved into their cis and trans isomers andracemic compounds may be separated into their enantiomers.

The cis/trans mixtures may be resolved, for example, by chromatographyinto the cis and trans isomers thereof. The compounds of general formulaI which occur as racemates may be separated by methods known per se intotheir optical antipodes and diastereomeric mixtures of compounds ofgeneral formula I may be resolved into their diastereomers by takingadvantage of their different physico-chemical properties using methodsknown per se, e.g. chromatography and/or fractional crystallization; ifthe compounds obtained thereafter are racemates, they may be resolvedinto the enantiomers as mentioned below.

The racemates are preferably resolved by column chromatography on chiralphases or by crystallization from an optically active solvent or byreacting with an optically active substance which forms salts orderivatives such as esters or amides with the racemic compound. Saltsmay be formed with enantiomerically pure acids for basic compounds andwith enantiomerically pure bases for acidic compounds. Diastereomericderivatives are formed with enantiomerically pure auxiliary compounds,e.g. acids, their activated derivatives, or alcohols. Separation of thediastereomeric mixture of salts or derivatives thus obtained may beachieved by taking advantage of their different physico-chemicalproperties, e.g. differences in solubility; the free antipodes may bereleased from the pure diastereomeric salts or derivatives by the actionof suitable agents. Optically active acids commonly used for such apurpose as well as optically active alcohols applicable as auxiliaryresidues are known to those skilled in the art.

As mentioned above, the compounds of formula I may be converted intosalts, particularly for pharmaceutical use into the pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts. As used herein, “pharmaceutically acceptable salts”refer to derivatives of the disclosed compounds wherein the parentcompound is modified by making acid or base salts thereof.

The compounds according to the invention are advantageously alsoobtainable using the methods described in the examples that follow,which may also be combined for this purpose with methods known to theskilled man from the literature.

TERMS AND DEFINITIONS

Terms not specifically defined herein should be given the meanings thatwould be given to them by one of skill in the art in light of thedisclosure and the context. As used in the specification, however,unless specified to the contrary, the following terms have the meaningindicated and the following conventions are adhered to.

The terms “compound(s) according to this invention”, “compound(s) offormula (I)”, “compound(s) of the invention” and the like denote thecompounds of the formula (I) according to the present inventionincluding their tautomers, stereoisomers and mixtures thereof and thesalts thereof, in particular the pharmaceutically acceptable saltsthereof, and the solvates and hydrates of such compounds, including thesolvates and hydrates of such tautomers, stereoisomers and saltsthereof.

The terms “treatment” and “treating” embrace both preventative, i.e.prophylactic, or therapeutic, i.e. curative and/or palliative,treatment. Thus the terms “treatment” and “treating” comprisetherapeutic treatment of patients having already developed saidcondition, in particular in manifest form. Therapeutic treatment may besymptomatic treatment in order to relieve the symptoms of the specificindication or causal treatment in order to reverse or partially reversethe conditions of the indication or to stop or slow down progression ofthe disease. Thus the compositions and methods of the present inventionmay be used for instance as therapeutic treatment over a period of timeas well as for chronic therapy. In addition the terms “treatment” and“treating” comprise prophylactic treatment, i.e. a treatment of patientsat risk to develop a condition mentioned hereinbefore, thus reducingsaid risk.

When this invention refers to patients requiring treatment, it relatesprimarily to treatment in mammals, in particular humans.

The term “therapeutically effective amount” means an amount of acompound of the present invention that (i) treats or prevents theparticular disease or condition, (ii) attenuates, ameliorates, oreliminates one or more symptoms of the particular disease or condition,or (iii) prevents or delays the onset of one or more symptoms of theparticular disease or condition described herein.

The terms “modulated” or “modulating”, or “modulate(s)”, as used herein,unless otherwise indicated, refer to the activation of theG-protein-coupled receptor GPR40 with one or more compounds of thepresent invention.

The terms “mediated” or “mediating” or “mediate”, as used herein, unlessotherwise indicated, refer to the (i) treatment, including prevention ofthe particular disease or condition, (ii) attenuation, amelioration, orelimination of one or more symptoms of the particular disease orcondition, or (iii) prevention or delay of the onset of one or moresymptoms of the particular disease or condition described herein.

The term “substituted” as used herein, means that any one or morehydrogens on the designated atom, radical or moiety is replaced with aselection from the indicated group, provided that the atom's normalvalence is not exceeded, and that the substitution results in anacceptably stable compound.

In the groups, radicals, or moieties defined below, the number of carbonatoms is often specified preceding the group, for example, C₁₋₆-alkylmeans an alkyl group or radical having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. In general,for groups comprising two or more subgroups, the last named subgroup isthe radical attachment point, for example, the substituent“aryl-C₁₋₃-alkyl-” means an aryl group which is bound to aC₁₋₃-alkyl-group, the latter of which is bound to the core or to thegroup to which the substituent is attached.

In case a compound of the present invention is depicted in form of achemical name and as a formula in case of any discrepancy the formulashall prevail.

An asterisk may be used in sub-formulas to indicate the bond which isconnected to the core molecule as defined.

The numeration of the atoms of a substituent starts with the atom whichis closest to the core or to the group to which the substituent isattached.

For example, the term “3-carboxypropyl-group” represents the followingsubstituent:

wherein the carboxy group is attached to the third carbon atom of thepropyl group. The terms “1-methylpropyl-”, “2,2-dimethylpropyl-” or“cyclopropylmethyl-” group represent the following groups:

The asterisk may be used in sub-formulas to indicate the bond which isconnected to the core molecule as defined.

In a definition of a group the term “wherein each X, Y and Z group isoptionally substituted with” and the like denotes that each group X,each group Y and each group Z either each as a separate group or each aspart of a composed group may be substituted as defined. For example adefinition “R^(ex) denotes H, C₁₋₃-alkyl, C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl,C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl-C₁₋₃-alkyl or C₁₋₃-alkyl-O—, wherein each alkyl group isoptionally substituted with one or more L^(ex).” or the like means thatin each of the beforementioned groups which comprise the term alkyl,i.e. in each of the groups C₁₋₃-alkyl, C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl-C₁₋₃-alkyl andC₁₋₃-alkyl-O—, the alkyl moiety may be substituted with L^(ex) asdefined.

Unless specifically indicated, throughout the specification and theappended claims, a given chemical formula or name shall encompasstautomers and all stereo, optical and geometrical isomers (e.g.enantiomers, diastereomers, E/Z isomers etc.) and racemates thereof aswell as mixtures in different proportions of the separate enantiomers,mixtures of diastereomers, or mixtures of any of the foregoing formswhere such isomers and enantiomers exist, as well as salts, includingpharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and solvates thereof such asfor instance hydrates including solvates of the free compounds orsolvates of a salt of the compound.

The phrase “pharmaceutically acceptable” is employed herein to refer tothose compounds, materials, compositions, and/or dosage forms which are,within the scope of sound medical judgment, suitable for use in contactwith the tissues of human beings and animals without excessive toxicity,irritation, allergic response, or other problem or complication, andcommensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio.

As used herein, “pharmaceutically acceptable salts” refer to derivativesof the disclosed compounds wherein the parent compound is modified bymaking acid or base salts thereof.

Salts of other acids than those mentioned above which for example areuseful for purifying or isolating the compounds of the present invention(e.g. trifluoro acetate salts) also comprise a part of the invention.

The term halogen generally denotes fluorine, chlorine, bromine andiodine.

The term “C_(1-n)-alkyl”, wherein n is an integer from 1 to n, eitheralone or in combination with another radical denotes an acyclic,saturated, branched or linear hydrocarbon radical with 1 to n C atoms.For example the term C₁₋₅-alkyl embraces the radicals H₃C—, H₃C—CH₂—,H₃C—CH₂—CH₂—, H₃C—CH(CH₃)—, H₃C—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—, H₃C—CH₂—CH(CH₃)—,H₃C—CH(CH₃)—CH₂—, H₃C—C(CH₃)₂—, H₃C—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—,H₃C—CH₂—CH₂—CH(CH₃)—, H₃C—CH₂—CH(CH₃)—CH₂—, H₃C—CH(CH₃)—CH₂—CH₂—,H₃C—CH₂—C(CH₃)₂—, H₃C—C(CH₃)₂—CH₂—, H₃C—CH(CH₃)—CH(CH₃)— andH₃C—CH₂—CH(CH₂CH₃).

The term “C_(3-n)-carbocyclyl” as used either alone or in combinationwith another radical, denotes a monocyclic, bicyclic or tricyclic,saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon radical with 3 to n C atoms. Thehydrocarbon radical is preferably nonaromatic. Preferably the 3 to n Catoms form one or two rings. In case of a bicyclic or tricyclic ringsystem the rings may be attached to each other via a single bond or maybe fused or may form a spirocyclic or bridged ring system. For examplethe term C₃₋₁₀-carbocyclyl includes C₃₋₁₀-cylcoalkyl,C₃₋₁₀-cycloalkenyl, octahydropentalenyl, octahydroindenyl,decahydronaphthyl, indanyl, tetrahydronaphthyl. Most preferably the termC_(3-n)-carbocyclyl denotes C_(3-n)-cylcoalkyl, in particularC₃₋₇-cycloalkyl.

The term “C_(3-n)-cycloalkyl”, wherein n is an integer 4 to n, eitheralone or in combination with another radical denotes a cyclic,saturated, unbranched hydrocarbon radical with 3 to n C atoms. Thecyclic group may be mono-, bi-, tri- or spirocyclic, most preferablymonocyclic. Examples of such cycloalkyl groups include cyclopropyl,cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl,cyclononyl, cyclododecyl, bicyclo[3.2.1]octyl, spiro[4.5]decyl,norpinyl, norbonyl, norcaryl, adamantyl, etc.

Many of the terms given above may be used repeatedly in the definitionof a formula or group and in each case have one of the meanings givenabove, independently of one another.

Chemical Stability

Degradation kinetics is used to simulate chemical stability of compoundsin the acidic part of the gastro intestinal tract. The compounds of theinvention show superior chemical stability in acidic aqueous media (pHvalue ca. 1.2) compared to the bulk of compounds explicitly disclosed inWO 2012072691. Their application as medical drugs to treat humandiseases is therefore less restricted and troublesome.

The chemical stability of the compounds of the invention at pH value ofca. 1.2 is determined as follows:

Compound is dissolved in an HPLC vial either in a mixture ofacetonitrile/0.1 M aqueous HCl (2:3; pH ca. 1.2) or in a mixture ofacetonitrile/McIlvaine buffer pH 7.4 (2:3) to get a concentration ofapproximately 0.25 mg/ml. The vial was then transferred into an HPLCautosampler system and maintained at a temperature of 37° C. A firstsample is taken and injected immediately into a standard HPLC systemwith a UV DAD detector. Further samples are injected after 2, 4, 6, 8and 10 hours. Degradation of the compound is measured by determining therecovery rate of compound [%] for each injection using an HPLC standardgradient method. Therefore the peak area of the main peak for the firstinjection (AU_(t0)) is determined and set as 100%. Peak area of the mainpeak is determined also for the further injections (AU_(tn), n=2, 4, 6,8, 10) and expressed as fraction of (AU_(t0))/(AU_(tn), n=2, 4, 6, 8,10) [%].

The recovery rate of the compounds according to the invention after 2 hat pH value of ca. 1.2 determined as described above is typically above95%, preferably above 98%.

The following table compares the recovery rate after 2 h at pH value ofca. 1.2 of compounds according to the invention and compounds of WO2012072691.

Example in this Recovery rate Example in Recovery rate invention after 2h WO 2012072691 after 2 h 1 >99% 2 88% 6 >99% 25 98% 29  1% 32  2% 3795% 42  0% 43  0% 60 74% 64 82% 68 82% 84 81%

Chemical structures of the examples of case WO 2012072691 listed in thetable above:

Pharmacological Activity

The activity of the compounds of the invention may be demonstrated usingthe following assay:

IP₁ accumulation measurements using the IPOne assay system—1321N1 cellsstably expressing human GPR40 receptor (Euroscreen, Belgium) are seeded24 h before the assay in white 384-well plates in culture mediumcontaining 10% FCS, 1% Na-Pyruvate and 400 μg/mL G418. IP₁ is assayedaccording to the manufacturer's description (Cisbio Bioassays, France).In brief, the assay is started by substitution of the culture medium bystimulation buffer (Hepes 10 mM, CaCl₂ 1 mM, MgCl₂ 0.5 mM, KCl 4.2 mM,NaCl 146 mM, glucose 5.5 mM and LiCl 50 mM, pH 7.4). Cells arestimulated for 1 h at 37° C., 5% CO₂ by addition of the compounds thatare diluted in stimulation buffer containing LiCl. Assays are stopped byadding HTRF-conjugates (IP1-d2 and Anti-IP1 cryptate Tb) and lysisbuffer, provided by the manufacturer. After an incubation time of 1 h atroom temperature plates are measured using an EnVision™, Perkin Elmer.The obtained fluorescence ratios at 665/615 nM are then used tocalculate the pEC₅₀ values using Assay Explorer 3.3 Software (Accelrys,Inc.) by interpolation using an IP₁ reference curve and subsequentsigmoidal curve fitting allowing for a variable hill slope.

The compounds according to the invention typically have EC₅₀ values inthe range from about 1 nM to about 10 μM, preferably less than 1 μM,more preferably less than 100 nM.

EC₅₀ values for compounds according to the invention are shown in thefollowing table. The number of the compound corresponds to the number ofthe Example in the experimental section.

EC₅₀ EC₅₀ EC₅₀ EC₅₀ Example [nM] Example [nM] Example [nM] Example [nM]1 3 2 20 3 3 4 92 5 5 6 2 7 3 8 5 9 3 10 5 11 6 12 20 13 9 14 15 15 46816 16 17 4 18 11 19 7 20 9 21 12 22 14 23 7 24 14 25 15 26 26 27 17 28 429 3 30 3 31 2 32 2 33 2 34 3 35 3

In view of their ability to modulate the activity of theG-protein-coupled receptor GPR40, in particular an agonistic activity,the compounds of general formula I according to the invention, includingthe corresponding salts thereof, are theoretically suitable for thetreatment of all those diseases or conditions which may be affected orwhich are mediated by the activation of the G-protein-coupled receptorGPR40.

Accordingly, the present invention relates to a compound of generalformula I as a medicament.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of a compound ofgeneral formula I or a pharmaceutical composition according to thisinvention for the treatment and/or prevention of diseases or conditionswhich are mediated by the activation of the G-protein-coupled receptorGPR40 in a patient, preferably in a human.

In yet another aspect the present invention relates to a method fortreating a disease or condition mediated by the activation of theG-protein-coupled receptor GPR40 in a mammal that includes the step ofadministering to a patient, preferably a human, in need of suchtreatment a therapeutically effective amount of a compound or apharmaceutical composition of the present invention.

Diseases and conditions mediated by agonists of the G-protein-coupledreceptor GPR40 embrace metabolic diseases or conditions. According toone aspect the compounds and pharmaceutical compositions of the presentinvention are particularly suitable for treating diabetes mellitus, inparticular Type 2 diabetes, Type 1 diabetes, complications of diabetes(such as e.g. retinopathy, nephropathy or neuropathies, diabetic foot,ulcers or macroangiopathies), metabolic acidosis or ketosis, reactivehypoglycaemia, hyperinsulinaemia, glucose metabolic disorder, insulinresistance, metabolic syndrome, dyslipidaemias of different origins,atherosclerosis and related diseases, obesity, high blood pressure,chronic heart failure, oedema and hyperuricaemia.

The compounds and pharmaceutical compositions of the present inventionare also suitable for preventing beta-cell degeneration such as e.g.apoptosis or necrosis of pancreatic beta cells. The compounds andpharmaceutical compositions of the present invention are also suitablefor improving or restoring the functionality of pancreatic cells, andalso for increasing the number and size of pancreatic beta cells.

Therefore according to another aspect the invention relates to compoundsof formula I and pharmaceutical compositions according to the inventionfor use in preventing, delaying, slowing the progression of and/ortreating metabolic diseases, particularly in improving the glycaemiccontrol and/or beta cell function in the patient.

In another aspect the invention relates to compounds of formula I andpharmaceutical compositions according to the invention for use inpreventing, delaying, slowing the progression of and/or treating type 2diabetes, overweight, obesity, complications of diabetes and associatedpathological conditions.

In addition the compounds and pharmaceutical compositions according tothe invention are suitable for use in one or more of the followingtherapeutic processes:

-   -   for preventing, delaying, slowing the progression of or treating        metabolic diseases, such as for example type 1 diabetes, type 2        diabetes, insufficient glucose tolerance, insulin resistance,        hyperglycaemia, hyperlipidaemia, hypercholesterolaemia,        dyslipidaemia, syndrome X, metabolic syndrome, obesity, high        blood pressure, chronic systemic inflammation, retinopathy,        neuropathy, nephropathy, atherosclerosis, endothelial        dysfunction or bone-related diseases (such as osteoporosis,        rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis);    -   for improving glycaemic control and/or reducing fasting plasma        glucose, postprandial plasma glucose and/or the glycosylated        haemoglobin HbA1c;    -   for preventing, delaying, slowing or reversing the progression        of disrupted glucose tolerance, insulin resistance and/or        metabolic syndrome to type 2 diabetes;    -   for preventing, delaying, slowing the progression of or treating        a condition or a disease selected from among the complications        of diabetes, such as for example retinopathy, nephropathy or        neuropathies, diabetic foot, ulcers or macroangiopathies;    -   for reducing weight or preventing weight gain or assisting        weight loss;    -   for preventing or treating the degradation of pancreatic beta        cells and/or improving and/or restoring the functionality of        pancreatic beta cells and/or restoring the functionality of        pancreatic insulin secretion;    -   for maintaining and/or improving insulin sensitivity and/or        preventing or treating hyperinsulinaemia and/or insulin        resistance.

In particular, the compounds and pharmaceutical compositions accordingto the invention are suitable for the treatment of obesity, diabetes(comprising type 1 and type 2 diabetes, preferably type 2 diabetesmellitus) and/or complications of diabetes (such as for exampleretinopathy, nephropathy or neuropathies, diabetic foot, ulcers ormacroangiopathies).

The compounds according to the invention are most particularly suitablefor treating type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The dose range of the compounds of general formula I applicable per dayis usually from 0.001 to 10 mg per kg body weight, for example from 0.01to 8 mg per kg body weight of the patient. Each dosage unit mayconveniently contain from 0.1 to 1000 mg, for example 0.5 to 500 mg.

The actual therapeutically effective amount or therapeutic dosage willof course depend on factors known by those skilled in the art such asage and weight of the patient, route of administration and severity ofdisease. In any case the compound or composition will be administered atdosages and in a manner which allows a therapeutically effective amountto be delivered based upon patient's unique condition.

The compounds, compositions, including any combinations with one or moreadditional therapeutic agents, according to the invention may beadministered by oral, transdermal, inhalative, parenteral or sublingualroute. Of the possible methods of administration, oral or intravenousadministration is preferred.

Pharmaceutical Compositions

Suitable preparations for administering the compounds of formula I,optionally in combination with one or more further therapeutic agents,will be apparent to those with ordinary skill in the art and include forexample tablets, pills, capsules, suppositories, lozenges, troches,solutions, syrups, elixirs, sachets, injectables, inhalatives andpowders etc. Oral formulations, particularly solid forms such as e.g.tablets or capsules are preferred. The content of the pharmaceuticallyactive compound(s) is advantageously in the range from 0.1 to 90 wt.-%,for example from 1 to 70 wt.-% of the composition as a whole.

Suitable tablets may be obtained, for example, by mixing one or morecompounds according to formula I with known excipients, for exampleinert diluents, carriers, disintegrants, adjuvants, surfactants, bindersand/or lubricants. The tablets may also consist of several layers. Theparticular excipients, carriers and/or diluents that are suitable forthe desired preparations will be familiar to the skilled man on thebasis of his specialist knowledge. The preferred ones are those that aresuitable for the particular formulation and method of administrationthat are desired. The preparations or formulations according to theinvention may be prepared using methods known per se that are familiarto the skilled man, such as for example by mixing or combining at leastone compound of formula I according to the invention, or apharmaceutically acceptable salt of such a compound, and one or moreexcipients, carriers and/or diluents.

Combination Therapy

The compounds of the invention may further be combined with one or more,preferably one additional therapeutic agent. According to one embodimentthe additional therapeutic agent is selected from the group oftherapeutic agents useful in the treatment of diseases or conditionsdescribed hereinbefore, in particular associated with metabolic diseasesor conditions such as for example diabetes mellitus, obesity, diabeticcomplications, hypertension, hyperlipidemia. Additional therapeuticagents which are suitable for such combinations include in particularthose which for example potentiate the therapeutic effect of one or moreactive substances with respect to one of the indications mentionedand/or which allow the dosage of one or more active substances to bereduced.

Therefore a compound of the invention may be combined with one or moreadditional therapeutic agents selected from the group consisting ofantidiabetic agents, agents for the treatment of overweight and/orobesity and agents for the treatment of high blood pressure, heartfailure and/or atherosclerosis.

Antidiabetic agents are for example metformin, sulphonylureas,nateglinide, repaglinide, thiazolidinediones, PPAR-(alpha, gamma oralpha/gamma) agonists or modulators, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, DPPIVinhibitors, SGLT2-inhibitors, insulin and insulin analogues, GLP-1 andGLP-1 analogues or amylin and amylin analogues, cycloset, 11β-HSDinhibitors. Other suitable combination partners are inhibitors ofprotein tyrosinephosphatase 1, substances that affect deregulatedglucose production in the liver, such as e.g. inhibitors ofglucose-6-phosphatase, or fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, glycogenphosphorylase, glucagon receptor antagonists and inhibitors ofphosphoenol pyruvate carboxykinase, glycogen synthase kinase or pyruvatedehydrokinase, alpha2-antagonists, CCR-2 antagonists or glucokinaseactivators. One or more lipid lowering agents are also suitable ascombination partners, such as for example HMG-CoA-reductase inhibitors,fibrates, nicotinic acid and the derivatives thereof, PPAR-(alpha, gammaor alpha/gamma) agonists or modulators, PPAR-delta agonists, ACATinhibitors or cholesterol absorption inhibitors such as, bileacid-binding substances such as, inhibitors of ileac bile acidtransport, MTP inhibitors, or HDL-raising compounds such as CETPinhibitors or ABC1 regulators.

Therapeutic agents for the treatment of overweight and/or obesity arefor example antagonists of the cannabinoid1 receptor, MCH-1 receptorantagonists, MC4 receptor agonists, NPY5 or NPY2 antagonists,β3-agonists, leptin or leptin mimetics, agonists of the 5HT2c receptor.

Therapeutic agents for the treatment of high blood pressure, chronicheart failure and/or atherosclerosis are for example A-II antagonists orACE inhibitors, ECE inhibitors, diuretics, β-blockers, Ca-antagonists,centrally acting antihypertensives, antagonists of thealpha-2-adrenergic receptor, inhibitors of neutral endopeptidase,thrombocyte aggregation inhibitors and others or combinations thereofare suitable. Angiotensin II receptor antagonists are preferably usedfor the treatment or prevention of high blood pressure and complicationsof diabetes, often combined with a diuretic such as hydrochlorothiazide.

The dosage for the combination partners mentioned above is usually 1/5of the lowest dose normally recommended up to 1/1 of the normallyrecommended dose.

Preferably, compounds of the present invention and/or pharmaceuticalcompositions comprising a compound of the present invention optionallyin combination with one or more additional therapeutic agents areadministered in conjunction with exercise and/or a diet.

Therefore, in another aspect, this invention relates to the use of acompound according to the invention in combination with one or moreadditional therapeutic agents described hereinbefore and hereinafter forthe treatment of diseases or conditions which may be affected or whichare mediated by the activation of the G-protein-coupled receptor GPR40,in particular diseases or conditions as described hereinbefore andhereinafter.

In yet another aspect the present invention relates a method fortreating a disease or condition mediated by the activation of theG-protein-coupled receptor GPR40 in a patient that includes the step ofadministering to the patient, preferably a human, in need of suchtreatment a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of thepresent invention in combination with a therapeutically effective amountof one or more additional therapeutic agents described in hereinbeforeand hereinafter,

The use of the compound according to the invention in combination withthe additional therapeutic agent may take place simultaneously or atstaggered times.

The compound according to the invention and the one or more additionaltherapeutic agents may both be present together in one formulation, forexample a tablet or capsule, or separately in two identical or differentformulations, for example as a so-called kit-of-parts.

Consequently, in another aspect, this invention relates to apharmaceutical composition which comprises a compound according to theinvention and one or more additional therapeutic agents describedhereinbefore and hereinafter, optionally together with one or more inertcarriers and/or diluents.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following more detailed Examples which illustrate, byway of example, the principles of the invention.

EXAMPLES Preliminary Remarks

As a rule, ¹H-NMR and/or mass spectra have been obtained for thecompounds prepared. The R_(f) values are determined using Merck silicagel 60 F₂₅₄ plates and UV light at 254 nm.

The terms “ambient temperature” and “room temperature” are usedinterchangeably and designate a temperature of about 20° C.

Analytical HPLC parameters employed for characterization of products(TFA denotes trifluoroacetic acid and FA denotes formic acid):

Method: 1 Device: Agilent 1200 with DA and MS detector Column: XBridgeC18, 3 × 30 mm, 2.5 μm Column Supplier: Waters Gradient/ % SolventSolvent [H₂O, % Solvent Flow Temperature Time [min] 0.1% FA][Acetonitrile] [ml/min] [° C.] 0.00 97 3 2.2 60 0.20 97 3 2.2 60 1.20 0100 2.2 60 1.25 0 100 3 60 1.40 0 100 3 60

Method: 2 Device: Agilent 1200 with DA and MS detector Column: XBridgeC18, 3 × 30 mm, 2.5 μm Column Supplier: Waters Gradient/ % SolventSolvent [H₂O, % Solvent Flow Temperature Time [min] 0.1% TFA][Acetonitrile] [mL/min] [° C.] 0.00 50 50 2.2 60 0.20 50 50 2.2 60 1.200 100 2.2 60 1.25 0 100 3 60 1.40 0 100 3 60

Method: 3 Device: Agilent 1200 with DA and MS detector Column: XBridgeC18, 3 × 30 mm, 2.5 μm Column Supplier: Waters Gradient/ % SolventSolvent [H₂O, % Solvent Flow Temperature Time [min] 0.1% NH₃][Acetonitrile] [ml/min] [° C.] 0.00 97 3 2.2 60 0.20 97 3 2.2 60 1.20 0100 2.2 60 1.25 0 100 3 60 1.40 0 100 3 60

Method: 4 Device: Agilent 1200 with DA and MS detector Column: XBridgeC18, 3 × 30 mm, 2.5 μm Column Supplier: Waters Gradient/ % SolventSolvent [H₂O, % Solvent Flow Temperature Time [min] 0.1% TFA][Acetonitrile] [mL/min] [° C.] 0.00 97 3 2.2 60 0.20 97 3 2.2 60 1.20 0100 2.2 60 1.25 0 100 3 60 1.40 0 100 3 60

Method: 5 Device: Agilent 1200 with DA and MS detector Column: XBridgeC18, 3 × 30 mm, 2.5 μm Column Supplier: Waters Gradient/ % SolventSolvent [H₂O, % Solvent Flow Temperature Time [min] 0.1% NH₃][Acetonitrile] [ml/min] [° C.] 0.00 50 50 2.2 60 0.20 50 50 2.2 60 1.200 100 2.2 60 1.25 0 100 3 60 1.40 0 100 3 60

Method: 6 Device: Agilent 1200 with DA and MS detector Column: Sunfire,3 × 30 mm, 2.5 μm Column Supplier: Waters Gradient/ % Solvent Solvent[H₂O, % Solvent Flow Temperature Time [min] 0.1% TFA] [Acetonitrile][mL/min] [° C.] 0.00 97 3 2.2 60 0.20 97 3 2.2 60 1.20 0 100 2.2 60 1.250 100 3 60 1.40 0 100 3 60

Method: 7 Device: Agilent 1100 with DA and MS detector Column: XBridgeC18, 4.6 × 30 mm, 3.5 μm Column Supplier: Waters Gradient/ % SolventSolvent [H₂O, % Solvent Flow Temperature Time [min] 0.1% FA] [Methanol]ml/min] [° C.] 0.0 50 50 4 60 0.15 50 50 4 60 1.7 0 100 4 60 2.25 0 1004 60

Method: 8 Device: Agilent 1100 with DAD and Waters MS detector Column:XBridge C18, 4.6 × 30 mm, 3.5 μm Column Supplier: Waters Gradient/ %Solvent Solvent [H₂O, 0.1% % Solvent Flow Temperature Time [min] NH₄OH][Acetonitrile] [ml/min] [° C.] 0.0 98 2 2.5 60 1.5 0 100 2.5 60 1.8 0100 2.5 60

The Examples that follow are intended to illustrate the presentinvention without restricting it:

Intermediate 1 [(S)-6-Hydroxy-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl]acetic acidmethyl ester

Step 1: (6-hydroxy-benzofuran-3-yl)-acetic acid methyl ester

A mixture of (6-hydroxy-benzofuran-3-yl)-acetic acid (for preparationsee WO 2008001931; 14.0 g), concentrated sulfuric acid (5 mL), andmethanol (250 mL) is stirred at reflux temperature for 4 h. Aftercooling to room temperature, the mixture is concentrated. Ethyl acetateis added to the residue, and the resulting mixture is washed with water,saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ solution and brine and dried (MgSO₄). Thesolvent is evaporated, and the residue is chromatographed on silica gel(cyclohexane/ethyl acetate 2:1→1:2) to give the title compound. Massspectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=207 [M+H]⁺.

Step 2: (6-hydroxy-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl)-acetic acid methyl ester

A mixture of (6-hydroxy-benzofuran-3-yl)-acetic acid methyl ester (5.00g), 10% palladium on carbon (0.50 g), and methanol (50 mL) is shakenunder hydrogen atmosphere (3 bar) at room temperature for 3 h. Thecatalyst is separated by filtration and the filtrate is concentrated.The residue is chromatographed on silica gel (cyclohexane/ethyl acetate4:1→1:1) to give the racemic title compound. Mass spectrum (ESI⁺):m/z=209 [M+H]⁺.

The enantiomers may be separated by SFC on chiral phase (column: DaicelADH, 5 μm, 250 mm×20 mm; eluent: scCO₂/(isopropanol+0.2% diethylamine)80:20, 70 mL/min):

(S)-(6-Hydroxy-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl)-acetic acid methyl ester:t_(R)=2.33 min.

(R)-(6-Hydroxy-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl)-acetic acid methyl ester:t_(R)=2.75 min.

Alternatively, the pure enantiomer may be obtained as described in WO2008001931.

Intermediate 2{(S)-6-[(R)-4-Bromo-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester

Step 1: 2-bromo-1-iodo-3-trifluoromethyl-benzene

An ice-cold solution of NaNO₂ (0.15 g) in water (0.5 mL) is added to amixture of 2-bromo-3-trifluoromethyl-aniline (0.48 g), concentratedH₂SO₄ (2 mL), and water (1.8 mL) at ca. 5° C. The mixture is stirred inthe cooling bath for 20 min and then poured into a solution of KI (0.56g) and I₂ (0.56 g) in water (0.5 mL). After gas evolution ceases, themixture is heated to 40° C. and stirred at this temperature for 1 h. Themixture is cooled to room temperature and aqueous Na₂SO₃ solution isadded. The resulting mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate, and thecombined extracts are dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated. The solvent isevaporated and the residue is chromatographed (cyclohexane/ethyl acetate95:5→90:10) to give the title compound.

Step 2: 3-(2-bromo-3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-propionic acid methyl ester

A microwave suited vial charged with a stir bar,2-bromo-1-iodo-3-trifluoromethyl-benzene (4.04 g),N,N-diisopropyl-ethylamine (4.0 mL), acrolein dimethyl acetal (1.76 g),tetrabutylammonium chloride (3.30 g), and dry N,N-dimethylformamide (10mL) is purged with Ar for 5 min. Palladium(II) acetate (0.13 g) isadded, the vial is sealed, and the mixture is stirred for 20 min at 120°C. in a microwave oven. After cooling to room temperature, the mixtureis diluted with ethyl acetate, and the resulting mixture is washed with1 M aqueous HCl solution and brine and dried (Na₂SO₄). The solvent isevaporated, and the residue is chromatographed (cyclohexane/ethylacetate 90:10) to give the title compound.

Step 3: 3-(2-bromo-3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-propionic acid

The title compound is prepared from3-(2-bromo-3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-propionic acid methyl esterfollowing a procedure analogous to that described in Example 1; thetitle compound is precipitated from an acidic aqueous solution (pH ca.4). LC (method 7): t_(R)=0.93 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁻): m/z=295/297(Br) [M−H]⁻.

Step 4: 4-bromo-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-one

Oxalyl chloride (6.8 mL) and N,N-dimethylformamide (0.1 mL) are added toa solution of 3-(2-bromo-3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-propionic acid (15.7g) in dichloromethane (150 mL) at room temperature. The solution isstirred at reflux temperature for 2 h and then concentrated.Trifluoromethane-sulfonic acid (60 ml) is added to the residue, and theresulting mixture is stirred at 55° C. for 4 h. After cooling to roomtemperature, the mixture is poured into ice-cold water, and theresulting mixture is stirred for 5 min. The precipitate formed isseparated by filtration, washed with water, and dissolved in ethylacetate. The solution is washed with aqueous NaHCO₃ solution, dried(Na₂SO₄), and concentrated. The residue is chromatographed on silica gel(cyclohexane/ethyl acetate 90:1080:20) to afford the title compound. LC(method 4): t_(R)=1.04 min.

Step 5: (S)-4-bromo-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-ol

Formic acid (4.8 mL) is added to a solution of triethylamine (15.2 mL)in dichloromethane (100 mL) chilled in an ice bath.4-Bromo-5-trifluoromethyl-indanone (10.0 g) dissolved in dichloromethane(40 ml) is added, and the flask is purged with Ar for 5 min.Chloro{[(1S,2S)-(−)-2-amino-1,2-diphenylethyl](4-toluenesulfonyl)amido}-(mesitylene)ruthenium(II)(0.50 g; alternatively, the catalyst is formed in situ fromN-[(1S,2S)-2-amino-1,2-diphenylethyl]-4-methylbenzenesulfonamide anddichloro(p-cymene)-ruthenium(II) dimer) is added, and the mixture isstirred at room temperature overnight. The mixture is diluted withdichloromethane and washed with water and brine and dried (MgSO₄). Thesolvent is evaporated and the residue is chromatographed on silica gel(cyclohexane/ethyl acetate 80:20→20:80) to give the title compound. LC(method 4): t_(R)=1.00 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁻): m/z=279/281 (Br)[M−H]⁻.

Step 6:{(S)-6-[(R)-4-bromo-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester

A solution of di-tert-butyl azodicarboxylate (6.3 g) in tetrahydrofuran(20 mL) is added dropwise over 45 min to a solution of[(S)-6-hydroxy-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl]-acetic acid methyl ester(4.71 g), (S)-4-bromo-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-ol (6.00 g), andtri-n-butyl-phosphine (6.9 mL) in tetrahydrofuran (50 mL) at −10° C. Theresulting solution is stirred in the cooling bath for 2.5 h and thendiluted with water. The resulting mixture is extracted with ethylacetate. The combined extracts are dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated. Theresidue is chromatographed on silica gel (cyclohexane/ethyl acetate90:1070:30) to give the title compound. LC (method 2): t_(R)=0.85 min;Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=471/473 (Br) [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 3{(S)-6-[(R)-4-Morpholin-4-ylmethyl-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester

A flask charged with a stir bar,{(S)-6-[(R)-4-bromo-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester (120 mg), potassiummorpholin-4-ylmethyltrifluoroborate (58 mg), Cs₂CO₃ (0.25 g),tetrahydrofuran (2.5 mL) and water (0.25 mL) is purged with Ar for 5min. Palladium(II) acetate (4 mg) and2-dicyclohexylphosphino-2′,4′,6′-triisopropyl-1,1′-biphenyl (X-Phos, 41mg) are added, the flask is sealed, and the mixture is heated to 80° C.The mixture is stirred at this temperature overnight. After cooling toroom temperature, water is added and the mixture is extracted with ethylacetate. The combined extract is washed with brine, dried (Na₂SO₄), andconcentrated. The residue is chromatographed on silica gel(cyclohexane/ethyl acetate) to give the title compound. LC (method 1):t_(R)=1.07 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=492 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 4{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(4-tert-Butoxycarbonyl-piperazin-1-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-bromo-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester and potassium(4-tert-butoxycarbonyl-piperazin-1-yl)methyltrifluoroborate following aprocedure analogous to that described for Intermediate 3. LC (method 1):t_(R)=1.26 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=591 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 5{(S)-6-[(R)-4-Thiomorpholin-4-ylmethyl-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-bromo-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester and (thiomorpholinium-4-ylmethyl)trifluoroboratefollowing a procedure analogous to that described for Intermediate 3. LC(method 1): t_(R)=1.19 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=508 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 6{(S)-6-[(R)-4-Pyrrolidin-1-ylmethyl-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-bromo-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester and potassium pyrrolidin-1-ylmethyltrifluoroboratefollowing a procedure analogous to that described for Intermediate 3. LC(method 1): t_(R)=0.92 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=476 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 7{(S)-6-[(R)-4-Piperidin-1-ylmethyl-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-bromo-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester and potassium piperidin-1-ylmethyltrifluoroboratefollowing a procedure analogous to that described for Intermediate 3. LC(method 5): t_(R)=1.15 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=490 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 8 Potassium(2-methyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-thiazolo[5,4-c]pyridin-5-yl)methyltrifluoroborate

A mixture of 2-methyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-thiazolo[5,4-c]pyridine (3.00g), potassium bromomethyltrifluoroborate (3.91 g), KHCO₃ (1.95 g), KI(0.32 g), and tetrahydrofuran (25 mL) is stirred at reflux temperaturefor 4 h. After cooling to room temperature, the solvent is evaporatedand the residue is suspended in acetone. The insoluble salts areseparated by filtration and the filtrate is treated with diethyl ether.The precipitate is separated by filtration and dried to give the titlecompound (alternatively, the crude product is purified by chromatographyon silica gel using dichloromethane and methanol as eluent). Massspectrum (ESI⁻): m/z=235 [M]⁻.

Intermediate 9{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(2-Methyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-thiazolo[5,4-c]pyridin-5-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-bromo-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester and potassium(2-methyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-thiazolo[5,4-c]pyridin-1-yl)methyltrifluoroboratefollowing a procedure analogous to that described for Intermediate 3. LC(method 1): t_(R)=1.02 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=559 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 10 (4,4-Difluoro-piperidinium-1-yl)methyltrifluoroborate

The title compound is prepared from potassium bromomethyltrifluoroborateand 4,4-difluoro-piperidine following a procedure analogous to thatdescribed for Intermediate 8; the crude product is purified bychromatography on silica gel (dichloromethane/methanol). Mass spectrum(ESI⁻): m/z=202 [M]⁻.

Intermediate 11{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(4,4-Difluoro-piperidin-1-yl-methyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-bromo-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester and(4,4-difluoropiperidinium-1-yl)methyltrifluoroborate following aprocedure analogous to that described for Intermediate 3. LC (method 1):t_(R)=1.27 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=526 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 12 (6-Azonia-spiro[2.5]octan-6-yl)methyltrifluoroborate

The title compound is prepared from potassium bromomethyltrifluoroborateand 6-aza-spiro[2.5]octane following a procedure analogous to thatdescribed for Intermediate 8; the crude product is purified bychromatography on silica gel (dichloromethane/methanol). Mass spectrum(ESI⁻): m/z=192 [M]⁻.

Intermediate 13{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(6-Aza-spiro[2.5]oct-6-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-bromo-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester and(6-azonia-spiro[2.5]octan-6-yl)methyltrifluoroborate following aprocedure analogous to that described for Intermediate 3. LC (method 1):t_(R)=0.96 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=516 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 14 ([1,4]Oxazepanium-4-yl)methyltrifluoroborate

The title compound is prepared from potassium bromomethyltrifluoroborateand [1,4]oxazepane following a procedure analogous to that described forIntermediate 8; the crude product is purified by chromatography onsilica gel (dichloromethane/methanol). Mass spectrum (ESI⁻): m/z=182[M]⁻.

Intermediate 15{(S)-6-[(R)-4-[1,4]Oxazepan-4-ylmethyl-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-bromo-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester and ([1,4]oxazepanium-4-yl)methyltrifluoroboratefollowing a procedure analogous to that described for Intermediate 3. LC(method 1): t_(R)=0.94 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=506 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 16 (4-Methoxy-piperidinium-1-yl)methyltrifluoroborate

The title compound is prepared from potassium bromomethyltrifluoroborateand 4-methoxy-piperidine following a procedure analogous to thatdescribed for Intermediate 8; the crude product is purified bychromatography on silica gel (dichloromethane/methanol).

Intermediate 17{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(4-Methoxy-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-bromo-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester and (4-methoxy-piperidinium-1-yl)methyltrifluoroboratefollowing a procedure analogous to that described for Intermediate 3. LC(method 1): t_(R)=0.91 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=520 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 18 (1-Oxa-8-azonia-spiro[4.5]dec-8-yl)methyltrifluoroborate

The title compound is prepared from potassium bromomethyltrifluoroborateand 1-oxa-8-aza-spiro[4.5]decane following a procedure analogous to thatdescribed for Intermediate 8; the crude product is purified bychromatography on silica gel (dichloromethane/methanol). Mass spectrum(ESI⁻): m/z=222 [M]⁻.

Intermediate 19{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(1-Oxa-8-aza-spiro[4.5]dec-8-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-bromo-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester and(1-oxa-8-azonia-spiro[4.5]dec-8-yl)methyltrifluoroborate following aprocedure analogous to that described for Intermediate 3. LC (method 1):t_(R)=0.93 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=546 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 20 (3-Azonia-bicyclo[3.1.0]hex-3-yl)methyltrifluoroborate

The title compound is prepared from potassium bromomethyltrifluoroborateand 3-aza-bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane following a procedure analogous to thatdescribed for Intermediate 8; the crude product is purified bychromatography on silica gel (dichloromethane/methanol). Mass spectrum(ESI⁻): m/z=164 [M]⁻.

Intermediate 21{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(3-Aza-bicyclo[3.1.0]hex-3-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-bromo-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester and(3-azonia-bicyclo[3.1.0]hex-3-yl)methyltrifluoroborate following aprocedure analogous to that described for Intermediate 3. LC (method 1):t_(R)=0.96 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=488 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 22 (4-Hydroxymethyl-piperidinium-1-yl)methyltrifluoroborate

The title compound is prepared from potassium bromomethyltrifluoroborateand 4-hydroxymethyl-piperidine following a procedure analogous to thatdescribed for Intermediate 8; the crude product is purified bychromatography on silica gel (dichloromethane/methanol).

Intermediate 23{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(4-Hydroxymethyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-bromo-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester and(4-hydroxymethyl-piperidinium-1-yl)methyltrifluoroborate following aprocedure analogous to that described for Intermediate 3.

Intermediate 24(4-Hydroxy-4-methyl-piperidinium-1-yl)methyltrifluoroborate

The title compound is prepared from potassium bromomethyltrifluoroborateand 4-hydroxy-4-methyl-piperidine following a procedure analogous tothat described for Intermediate 8; the crude product is purified bychromatography on silica gel (dichloromethane/methanol). Mass spectrum(ESI⁻): m/z=196 [M]⁻.

Intermediate 25{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(4-Hydroxy-4-methyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-bromo-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester and(4-hydroxy-4-methyl-piperidinium-1-yl)methyltrifluoroborate following aprocedure analogous to that described for Intermediate 3. LC (method 1):t_(R)=0.86 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=520 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 26{(S)-6-[(R)-4-piperazin-1-ylmethyl-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester

4 M HCl in 1,4-dioxane (5 mL) is added to a solution of{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(4-tert-butoxycarbonyl-piperazin-1-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester (0.42 g) in dichloromethane (5 mL) at roomtemperature. The solution is stirred at room temperature for 2.5 h. Thesolution is basified with aqueous K₂CO₃ solution and extracted withdichloromethane. The combined extract is dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentratedto give the crude title compound that is used without furtherpurification in subsequent transformations. LC (method 4): t_(R)=0.98min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=491 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 27{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(4-Methoxycarbonyl-piperazin-1-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester

Methyl chloroformate (11 μL) is added to a solution of{(S)-6-[(R)-4-piperazin-1-ylmethyl-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester (60 mg) and triethylamine (68 μL) in dichloromethane(2 mL) chilled in an ice bath. The cooling bath is removed and thesolution is stirred at room temperature for 2 h. Water is added and theresulting mixture is extracted with dichloromethane. The combinedextracts are washed with brine and dried (Na₂SO₄). The solvent isevaporated and the residue is chromatographed on reversed phase (HPLC;acetonitrile/water) to give the title compound. LC (method 4):t_(R)=0.99 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=549 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 28(cis-2,6-Dimethyl-morpholinium-4-yl)methyltrifluoroborate

The title compound is prepared from potassium bromomethyltrifluoroborateand cis-2,6-dimethyl-morpholine following a procedure analogous to thatdescribed for Intermediate 8; the crude product is purified bychromatography on silica gel (dichloromethane/methanol). Mass spectrum(ESI⁻): m/z=196 [M]⁻.

Intermediate 29{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(cis-2,6-Dimethyl-morpholin-4-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-bromo-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester and(cis-2,6-dimethyl-morpholinium-4-yl)methyltrifluoroborate following aprocedure analogous to that described for Intermediate 3.

Intermediate 30 Azepanium-1-ylmethyltrifluoroborate

The title compound is prepared from potassium bromomethyltrifluoroborateand azepane following a procedure analogous to that described forIntermediate 8; the crude product is purified by chromatography onsilica gel (dichloromethane/methanol). Mass spectrum (ESI⁻): m/z=180[M]⁻.

Intermediate 31{(S)-6-[(R)-4-Azepan-1-ylmethyl-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-bromo-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester and azepanium-1-ylmethyltrifluoroborate following aprocedure analogous to that described for Intermediate 3. LC (method 3):t_(R)=1.35 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=504 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 32{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(4-Ethoxycarbonyl-piperazin-1-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester

The title compound is prepared from ethyl chloroformate and{(S)-6-[(R)-4-piperazin-1-ylmethyl-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described forIntermediate 27. LC (method 4): t_(R)=1.02 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺):m/z=563 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 33{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(4-Propionyl-piperazin-1-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester

The title compound is prepared from propionyl chloride and{(S)-6-[(R)-4-piperazin-1-ylmethyl-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described forIntermediate 27; pyridine instead of triethylamine is used. LC (method4): t_(R)=0.97 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=547 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 34{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(4-Isopropoxycarbonyl-piperazin-1-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester

The title compound is prepared from isopropyl chloroformate and{(S)-6-[(R)-4-piperazin-1-ylmethyl-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described forIntermediate 27. LC (method 4): t_(R)=1.05 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺):m/z=577 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 35 (2,2-Dimethyl-morpholinium-4-yl)methyltrifluoroborate

The title compound is prepared from potassium bromomethyltrifluoroborateand 2,2-dimethyl-morpholine following a procedure analogous to thatdescribed for Intermediate 8; the crude product is purified bychromatography on silica gel (dichloromethane/methanol). Mass spectrum(ESI⁻): m/z=196 [M]⁻.

Intermediate 36{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(2,2-Dimethyl-morpholin-4-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-bromo-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester and(2,2-dimethyl-morpholinium-4-yl)methyltrifluoroborate following aprocedure analogous to that described for Intermediate 3. LC (method 3):t_(R)=1.27 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=520 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 37{(S)-6-[(R)-5-Trifluoromethyl-4-vinyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester

A flask charged with a stir bar,{(S)-6-[(R)-4-bromo-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester (1.00 g), vinylboronic acid pinacol ester (0.39 g),K₃PO₄ (1.80 g), toluene (8 mL) and water (0.8 mL) is purged with Ar for10 min. Palladium(II) acetate (24 mg) anddicyclohexyl-(2′,6′-dimethoxybiphenyl-2-yl)-phosphine (S-Phos, 87 mg)are added, the flask is sealed, and the mixture is heated to 100° C. Themixture is stirred at this temperature overnight. After cooling to roomtemperature, water is added and the mixture is extracted with ethylacetate. The combined extract is washed with brine, dried(charcoal/Na₂SO₄), and concentrated. The crude product is submitted tothe next reaction step without further purification. LC (method 4):t_(R)=1.26 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=441 [M+Na]⁺.

Intermediate 38{(S)-6-[(R)-4-Formyl-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester

NaIO₄ (1.80 g) and OsO₄ (4% in water, 50 μL) are added to a mixture of{(S)-6-[(R)-5-trifluoromethyl-4-vinyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester (1.25 g), tetrahydrofuran (16 mL), and water (4 mL) atroom temperature. The mixture is stirred at 50° C. overnight. Aftercooling to room temperature, water is added and the mixture is extractedwith ethyl acetate. The combined extract is washed with brine, dried(Na₂SO₄), and concentrated. The residue is chromatographed on silica gel(cyclohexane/ethyl acetate) to give the title compound. LC (method 4):t_(R)=1.19 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=421 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 39{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(8-Oxa-3-aza-bicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester

NaHB(O₂CCH₃)₃ (30 mg) is added to a mixture of{(S)-6-[(R)-4-formyl-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester (20 mg), 8-oxa-3-aza-bicyclo[3.2.1]octanehydrochloride (14 mg), sodium acetate (4 mg), and 1,2-dichloroethane (1mL) at room temperature. The mixture is stirred at room temperatureovernight. 1 M aqueous HCl solution is added, the resulting mixture isstirred for 10 min, and then water is added. The mixture is basifiedwith aqueous K₂CO₃ solution and extracted with ethyl acetate. Thecombined extract is washed with brine, dried (Na₂SO₄), and concentratedto give the title compound. LC (method 4): t_(R)=1.15 min; Mass spectrum(ESI⁺): m/z=518 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 40{(S)-6-[(R)-4-Hydroxymethyl-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester

NaBH₄ (18 mg) is added to a solution of{(S)-6-[(R)-4-formyl-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester (0.20 g) in tetrahydrofuran (4 mL) and water (1 mL) atroom temperature. The mixture is stirred at room temperature for 30 min.1 N aqueous HCl solution is added and the mixture is extracted withethyl acetate. The combined extract is washed with brine, dried(Na₂SO₄), and concentrated to give the title compound. The crude productis submitted to the next reaction step without further purification. LC(method 4): t_(R)=1.09 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=445 [M+Na]⁺.

Intermediate 41{(S)-6-[(R)-4-Bromomethyl-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester

Methylsulfonyl bromide (0.96 mL) is added to a solution of{(S)-6-[(R)-4-hydroxymethyl-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester (2.00 g) and triethylamine (1.98 mL) indichloromethane (20 mL) chilled in an ice bath. The cooling bath isremoved, and the solution is stirred at room temperature overnight. Moredichloromethane is added, and the resulting solution is washed withaqueous NaHCO₃ solution and brine, dried (Na₂SO₄), and concentrated. Theresidue is chromatographed on silica gel (cyclohexane/ethyl acetate) togive the title compound. LC (method 4): t_(R)=1.24 min.

Intermediate 42{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(8-Aza-bicyclo[3.2.1]oct-8-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester

8-Aza-bicyclo[3.2.1]octane (19 mg), KI (27 mg), and K₂CO₃ (45 mg) areadded to a solution of{(S)-6-[(R)-4-bromomethyl-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester (80 mg) in N,N-dimethylformamide (2 mL) at roomtemperature. The resulting mixture is stirred at room temperatureovernight. Water and brine are added and the mixture is extracted withethyl acetate. The combined extracts are dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentratedto give the crude title compound that is submitted to the next reactionstep without further purification. LC (method 6): t_(R)=0.93 min; Massspectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=516 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 43{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(7,8-Dihydro-[1,6]naphthyridin-6-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-bromomethyl-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester and 7,8-dihydro-[1,6]naphthyridine following aprocedure analogous to that described for Intermediate 42. LC (method1): t_(R)=1.01 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=539 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 44{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(3,4-Dihydro-isoquinolin-2-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-bromomethyl-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester and 3,4-dihydro-isoquinoline following a procedureanalogous to that described for Intermediate 42. Mass spectrum (ESI⁺):m/z=538 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 45{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(6,7-Dihydro-thiazolo[5,4-c]pyridin-5-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-bromomethyl-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester and 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-thiazolo[5,4-c]pyridinefollowing a procedure analogous to that described for Intermediate 42.LC (method 1): t_(R)=1.16 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=545 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 46{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(2-Methyl-2,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-5-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-bromomethyl-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester and2-methyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-2H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridine following aprocedure analogous to that described for Intermediate 42. LC (method1): t_(R)=0.92 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=542 [M+H]⁺.

Intermediate 47(7,8-Dihydro-pyrido[4,3-d]pyrimidin-6-yl)methyltrifluoroborate

The title compound is prepared from potassium bromomethyltrifluoroborateand 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-pyrido[4,3-d]pyrimidine following a procedureanalogous to that described for Intermediate 8; the crude product ispurified by chromatography on silica gel (dichloromethane/methanol).Mass spectrum (ESI⁻): m/z=216 [M]⁻.

Intermediate 48{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(7,8-Dihydro-pyrido[4,3-d]pyrimidin-6-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-bromomethyl-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester and(7,8-dihydro-pyrido[4,3-d]pyrimidin-6-yl)methyltrifluoroborate followinga procedure analogous to that described for Intermediate 3. LC (method1): t_(R)=1.13 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=540 [M+H]⁺.

Example 1{(S)-6-[(R)-4-Morpholin-4-ylmethyl-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid

4 M aqueous NaOH solution (0.20 mL) is added to a solution of{(S)-6-[(R)-4-morpholin-4-ylmethyl-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester (91 mg) in methanol (1 mL) and tetrahydrofuran (1 mL)at room temperature. The mixture is stirred at room temperature for 3 h.The organic solvent is evaporated, water is added to the residue, andthe resulting solution is neutralized with 1 M aqueous HCl solution. Thesolution is stirred at room temperature for 1 h. The precipitate formedis separated by filtration, washed with water, and dried to give thetitle compound (if the title compound does not precipitate, the solutionis concentrated, and the residue is purified by HPLC on reversed phaseusing acetonitrile and water as eluent). LC (method 1): t_(R)=0.94 min;Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=478 [M+H]⁺.

Example 2{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(4-tert-Butoxycarbonyl-piperazin-1-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(4-tert-butoxycarbonyl-piperazin-1-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described forExample 1. LC (method 1): t_(R)=1.18 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁻): m/z=575[M−H]⁻.

Example 3{(S)-6-[(R)-4-Thiomorpholin-4-ylmethyl-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-thiomorpholin-4-ylmethyl-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described forExample 1. LC (method 1): t_(R)=1.06 min; Mass spectrum (ESI+): m/z=494[M+H]⁺.

Example 4{(S)-6-[(R)-4-Pyrrolidin-1-ylmethyl-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-pyrrolidin-1-ylmethyl-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described forExample 1. LC (method 1): t_(R)=0.84 min; Mass spectrum (ESI+): m/z=462[M+H]⁺.

Example 5{(S)-6-[(R)-4-Piperidin-1-ylmethyl-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-piperidin-1-ylmethyl-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described forExample 1. LC (method 4): t_(R)=0.86 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=476[M+H]⁺.

Example 6{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(2-Methyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-thiazolo[5,4-c]pyridin-5-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(2-methyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-thiazolo[5,4-c]pyridin-5-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described forExample 1. LC (method 6): t_(R)=0.91 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=545[M+H]⁺.

Example 7{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(4,4-Difluoro-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(4,4-difluoro-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described forExample 1. LC (method 1): t_(R)=1.19 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=512[M+H]⁺.

Example 8{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(6-Aza-spiro[2.5]oct-6-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(6-aza-spiro[2.5]oct-6-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described forExample 1. LC (method 1): t_(R)=0.87 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=502[M+H]⁺.

Example 9{(S)-6-[(R)-[1,4]Oxazepan-4-ylmethyl-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-[1,4]oxazepan-4-ylmethyl-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described forExample 1. LC (method 1): t_(R)=0.85 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=492[M+H]⁺.

Example 10{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(4-Methoxy-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(4-methoxy-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described forExample 1. Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=506 [M+H]⁺.

Example 11{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(1-Oxa-8-aza-spiro[4.5]dec-8-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(1-oxa-8-aza-spiro[4.5]dec-8-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described forExample 1. LC (method 1): t_(R)=0.87 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=532[M+H]⁺.

Example 12{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(3-Aza-bicyclo[3.1.0]hex-3-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(3-aza-bicyclo[3.1.0]hex-3-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described forExample 1. LC (method 1): t_(R)=0.89 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=474[M+H]⁺.

Example 13{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(4-Hydroxymethyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(4-hydroxymethyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described forExample 1. LC (method 1): t_(R)=0.85 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=506[M+H]⁺.

Example 14{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(4-Hydroxy-4-methyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(4-hydroxy-4-methyl-piperidin-1-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described forExample 1. LC (method 1): t_(R)=0.78 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=506[M+H]⁺.

Example 15{(S)-6-[(R)-4-piperazin-1-ylmethyl-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-piperazin-1-ylmethyl-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described forExample 1. LC (method 4): t_(R)=0.91 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=477[M+H]⁺.

Example 16{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(4-Acetyl-piperazin-1-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid

Acetic anhydride (0.03 mL) is added to a solution of{(S)-6-[(R)-4-piperazin-1-ylmethyl-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid (0.22 g) and N,N-diisopropyl-ethylamine (0.11 mL) in acetonitrile(5 mL) at room temperature. The solution is stirred at room temperaturefor 1.5 h. 4 M aqueous NaOH solution (0.1 mL) is added and the solutionis stirred for another 30 min. Water is added and the resulting solutionis acidified with 4 M HCl solution (pH ca. 3-4). The resulting mixtureis extracted with ethyl acetate, and the combined extracts are washedwith brine and dried (Na₂SO₄). The solvent is evaporated and the residueis chromatographed on silica gel (cyclohexane/ethyl acetate) to give thetitle compound. LC (method 1): t_(R)=0.95 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺):m/z=519 [M+H]⁺.

Example 17{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(4-Methoxycarbonyl-piperazin-1-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(4-methoxycarbonyl-piperazin-1-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described forExample 1. LC (method 4): t_(R)=0.90 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=535[M+H]⁺.

Example 18{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(cis-2,6-Dimethyl-morpholin-4-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(cis-2,6-dimethyl-morpholin-4-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described forExample 1. LC (method 1): t_(R)=1.06 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=506[M+H]⁺.

Example 19{(S)-6-[(R)-4-Azepan-1-ylmethyl-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-azepan-1-ylmethyl-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described forExample 1. LC (method 3): t_(R)=0.95 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=490[M+H]⁺.

Example 20{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(4-Ethoxycarbonyl-piperazin-1-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(4-ethoxycarbonyl-piperazin-1-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described forExample 1. LC (method 4): t_(R)=0.94 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=549[M+H]⁺.

Example 21{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(4-Propionyl-piperazin-1-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(4-propionyl-piperazin-1-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described forExample 1. LC (method 4): t_(R)=0.87 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=533[M+H]⁺.

Example 22{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(4-Isopropoxycarbonyl-piperazin-1-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(4-isopropoxycarbonyl-piperazin-1-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described forExample 1. LC (method 4): t_(R)=0.96 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=563[M+H]⁺.

Example 23{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(2,2-Dimethyl-morpholin-4-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(2,2-dimethyl-morpholin-4-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described forExample 1. LC (method 8): t_(R)=0.80 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=506[M+H]⁺.

Example 24{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(8-Oxa-3-aza-bicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(8-oxa-3-aza-bicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described forExample 1. LC (method 4): t_(R)=1.15 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=504[M+H]⁺.

Example 25{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(8-Aza-bicyclo[3.2.1]oct-8-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(8-aza-bicyclo[3.2.1]oct-8-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described forExample 1. LC (method 4): t_(R)=0.90 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=502[M+H]⁺.

Example 26{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(4-Methyl-3-oxo-piperazin-1-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid

The methyl ester of the title compound,{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(4-methyl-3-oxo-piperazin-1-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester, is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-bromomethyl-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester and 1-methyl-piperazin-2-one following a procedureanalogous to that described for Intermediate 42. The crude product isdirectly submitted to the saponification conditions described forExample 1 to give the title compound upon chromatography on reversedphase (HPLC; acetonitrile/water). LC (method 6): t_(R)=1.03 min; Massspectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=505 [M+H]⁺.

Example 27{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(5,6-Dihydro-8H-imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-7-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid

The methyl ester of the title compound,{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(5,6-dihydro-8H-imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-7-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester, is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-bromomethyl-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester and 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazinefollowing a procedure analogous to that described for Intermediate 42.The crude product is directly submitted to the saponification conditionsdescribed for Example 1 to give the title compound upon chromatographyon reversed phase (HPLC; acetonitrile/water). LC (method 6): t_(R)=0.76min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=514 [M+H]⁺.

Example 28{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(7,8-Dihydro-[1,6]naphthyridin-6-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(7,8-dihydro-[1,6]naphthyridin-6-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described forExample 1. LC (method 1): t_(R)=0.93 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=525[M+H]⁺.

Example 29{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(3,4-Dihydro-isoquinolin-2-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(3,4-dihydro-isoquinolin-2-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described forExample 1. LC (method 1): t_(R)=1.01 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=524[M+H]⁺.

Example 30{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(6,7-Dihydro-thiazolo[5,4-c]pyridin-5-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(6,7-dihydro-thiazolo[5,4-c]pyridin-5-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described forExample 1. LC (method 1): t_(R)=1.06 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=531[M+H]⁺.

Example 31{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(2-Methyl-2,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-5-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(2-methyl-2,4,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-5-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described forExample 1. LC (method 1): t_(R)=0.83 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=528[M+H]⁺.

Example 32{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(4,7-Dihydro-thieno[2,3-c]pyridin-6-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid

The methyl ester of the title compound,{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(4,7-dihydro-thieno[2,3-c]pyridin-6-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester, is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-bromomethyl-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester and 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-thieno[2,3-c]pyridine followinga procedure analogous to that described for Intermediate 42. The crudeproduct is directly submitted to the saponification conditions describedfor Example 1 to give the title compound upon chromatography on reversedphase (HPLC; acetonitrile/water). LC (method 6): t_(R)=0.91 min; Massspectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=530 [M+H]⁺.

Example 33{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(6,7-Dihydro-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrazin-5-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid

The methyl ester of the title compound,{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(6,7-dihydro-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrazin-5-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester, is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-bromomethyl-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester and 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrazinefollowing a procedure analogous to that described for Intermediate 42.The crude product is directly submitted to the saponification conditionsdescribed for Example 1 to give the title compound upon chromatographyon reversed phase (HPLC; acetonitrile/water). LC (method 6): t_(R)=1.07min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=514 [M+H]⁺.

Example 34{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(6,7-Dihydro-isoxazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-5-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid

The methyl ester of the title compound,{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(6,7-dihydro-isoxazolo[4,3-c]pyridin-5-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester, is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-bromomethyl-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester and 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-isoxazolo[4,3-c]pyridinefollowing a procedure analogous to that described for Intermediate 42.The crude product is directly submitted to the saponification conditionsdescribed for Example 1 to give the title compound upon chromatographyon reversed phase (HPLC; acetonitrile/water). LC (method 6): t_(R)=0.94min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=515 [M+H]⁺.

Example 35{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(2-Methyl-6,7-dihydro-oxazolo[4,5-c]pyridin-5-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid

The methyl ester of the title compound,{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(2-methyl-6,7-dihydro-oxazolo[4,5-c]pyridin-5-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester, is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-bromomethyl-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester and 2-methyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-oxazolo[4,5-c]pyridinefollowing a procedure analogous to that described for Intermediate 42.The crude product is directly submitted to the saponification conditionsdescribed for Example 1 to give the title compound upon chromatographyon reversed phase (HPLC; acetonitrile/water). LC (method 6): t_(R)=0.89min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=529 [M+H]⁺.

Example 36{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(7,8-Dihydro-5H-pyrido[4,3-d]pyrimidin-6-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid

The title compound is prepared from{(S)-6-[(R)-4-(7,8-dihydro-5H-pyrido[4,3-d]pyrimidin-6-ylmethyl)-5-trifluoromethyl-indan-1-yloxy]-2,3-dihydro-benzofuran-3-yl}-aceticacid methyl ester following a procedure analogous to that described forExample 1. LC (method 4): t_(R)=0.93 min; Mass spectrum (ESI⁺): m/z=526[M+H]⁺.

1. A compound of formula I

wherein: R¹ is selected from the group consisting of a monocyclic orbicyclic group having 5 to 12 ring member atoms of which 4 to 11 ringmembers are C atoms and 1 to 3 ring members are heteroatoms selectedfrom N and NR^(N), or 1 or 2 ring members are heteroatoms selected fromN and NR^(N) and 1 ring member is selected from O and S, or 1 ringmember is N and 2 ring members are independently selected from O and S,with the proviso that no O—O, S—S, or S—O bond is formed, wherein thering member atom attached to the —CH₂— group in formula I is a N atom, 1CH₂ ring member attached to a ring member N atom is optionally replacedby a —C(═O)— group, the monocyclic or bicyclic group is saturated orpartially unsaturated, with the proviso that in bicyclic groups the ringattached to the —CH₂— group in formula I is not aromatic, and thebicyclic group is optionally a fused, bridged, or spiro ring system, andany of these groups is optionally and independently substituted with 1to 3 R² groups; R² is F, Cl, Br, I, C₁₋₄-alkyl, NC—, HO—C₁₋₄-alkyl, HO—,C₁₋₄-alkyl-O—, C₁₋₄-alkyl-O—C₁₋₄-alkyl, C₁₋₄-alkyl-S—,C₁₋₄-alkyl-S(═O)—, C₁₋₄-alkyl-S(═O)₂—, C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl-, orC₃₋₆-cycloalkyl-O—, wherein any alkyl and cycloalkyl group or submoietyis optionally substituted with 1 to 3 F atoms; and R^(N) is H,C₁₋₄-alkyl-, C₁₋₄-alkyl-C(O)—, or C₁₋₄-alkyl-O—O(O)—, wherein any alkylgroup or sub-group is straight-chained or branched unless otherwisespecified, or a salt thereof.
 2. The compound according to claim 1,wherein: R¹ is selected from the group consisting of a monocyclic orbicyclic group having 5 to 10 ring member atoms of which 4 to 9 ringmembers are C atoms and 1 to 3 ring members are heteroatoms selectedfrom N and NR^(N), or 1 or 2 ring members are heteroatoms selected fromN and NR^(N) and 1 ring member is O or S, wherein the ring member atomattached to the —CH₂— group in formula I is a N atom, wherein 1 CH₂ ringmember attached to a ring member N atom is optionally replaced by a—C(═O)— group, the monocyclic or bicyclic group is saturated orpartially unsaturated, with the proviso that in bicyclic groups the ringattached to the —CH₂— group in formula I is not aromatic, and thebicyclic group may be a fused, bridged or spiro ring system, and any ofthese groups is optionally and independently substituted with 1, 2, or 3R² groups; or a salt thereof.
 3. The compound according to claim 1,wherein R¹ is selected from the group consisting of:

wherein: X is NR^(N), O, or S, in any group 1 ring member CH₂ groupadjacent to a ring member N atom is optionally replaced by a C(═O)group, and any group is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 groupsindependently selected from R², or a salt thereof.
 4. The compoundaccording to claim 1, wherein: R² is F, Cl, C₁₋₃-alkyl, F₃C—, NC—,HO—C₁₋₃-alkyl, H₃C—O—C₁₋₃-alkyl, HO—, C₁₋₃-alkyl-O, F₂HC—O—, F₃C—O—,H₃C—S(═O)₂—, C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl-, or C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl-O—, or a salt thereof.5. The compound according to claim 2, wherein: R² is F, Cl, C₁₋₃-alkyl,F₃C—, NC—, HO—C₁₋₃-alkyl, H₃C—O—C₁₋₃-alkyl, HO—, C₁₋₃-alkyl-O, F₂HC—O—,F₃C—O—, H₃C—S(═O)₂—, C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl-, or C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl-O—, or a saltthereof.
 6. The compound according to claim 3, wherein: R² is F, Cl,C₁₋₃-alkyl, F₃C—, NC—, HO—C₁₋₃-alkyl, H₃C—O—C₁₋₃-alkyl, HO—,C₁₋₃-alkyl-O, F₂HC—O—, F₃C—O—, H₃C—S(═O)₂—, C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl-, orC₃₋₆-cycloalkyl-O—, or a salt thereof.
 7. The compound according toclaim 1, wherein: R¹ is selected from the group consisting of:

wherein: X is NR^(N), O, or S, in any group 1 ring member CH₂ groupadjacent to a ring member N atom is optionally replaced by a C(═O)group, and any group is optionally substituted with 1 to 3 groupsindependently selected from R², R² is F, Cl, C₁₋₃-alkyl, NC—,HO—C₁₋₃-alkyl, C₁₋₃-alkyl-O—C₁₋₃-alkyl, HO—, C₁₋₃-alkyl-O, H₃C—S(═O)—,H₃C—S(═O)₂—, C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl-, or C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl-O—, wherein any alkyland cycloalkyl group or submoiety is optionally substituted with 1 to 3F atoms; and R^(N) is H, C₁₋₄-alkyl-, C₁₋₄-alkyl-C(O)—, orC₁₋₄-alkyl-O—O(O)—, or a salt thereof.
 8. The pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt of a compound according to claim
 1. 9. A pharmaceuticalcomposition comprising a compound according to claim 1 or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and an inert carrier ordiluent.
 10. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 9,further comprising an additional therapeutic agent.
 11. Thepharmaceutical composition according to claim 10, wherein the additionaltherapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of antidiabeticagents, agents for the treatment of overweight and/or obesity, andagents for the treatment of high blood pressure, heart failure, and/oratherosclerosis.
 12. A method for treating diseases or conditions whichcan be influenced by the modulation of the function of GPR40 receptor ina patient in need thereof, the method comprising administering to thepatient an effective amount of the compound according to claim 1 or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 13. A method of treatingmetabolic diseases and conditions associated with the disease in apatient in need thereof, the method comprising administering to thepatient an effective amount of the compound according to claim 1 or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 14. The method according toclaim 13, wherein the metabolic disease is type 2 diabetes mellitus, andthe conditions associated with the disease is insulin resistance,obesity, cardiovascular disease, or dyslipidemia.